Cow gets lion’s share!

LUCKNOW : Facing flak from the farmers over the stray cattle menace, the state government has allocated ₹447.60 crore for the construction of the cowsheds as well as fodder for the stray cattle in rural and urban areas.

It plans to spend ₹247.60 crore for the establishment of cow sheds and fodder for stray cattle in the rural areas while ₹200 crore will be spent on establishment of cowsheds in urban areas.

The state government has also allocated another ₹218 crore for the establishment of dairies and milk committees across the state. Another ₹20 crore has been allocated for the establishment and renovation of the kanzi houses in various cities.

Finance minister Rajesh Agarwal said the state government was committed for cow development. The assistance of Animal Husbandry department and Dairy Development department will be taken for cow protection and development, he said.

The state government has already imposed cow welfare cess on liquor. It hopes to collect ₹165 crore revenue from the cess that will be used on the support of the stray cattle, he said.